School records were broken and state qualifying times were recorded during the recent meet for the Winder-Barrow High School swim program.

The 200 free relay team of Mitchell Buttler, Daniel Dean, Ryan Weathers and Billy Hentennaar set a school record in 1:40.97 and also qualified for state. The state mark is 1:41.50. Butler also swam under the required 1:00 time for the 100-meter backstroke (59.58) to set a school record and qualify for state.

“In my seven years of coaching, this is the first time I’ve had state qualifers,” WBHS swim coach Jennifer Blevins said. “

Three other school records were broken during the meet held hosted by Habersham.

The 200 medley relay team, also consisting of Buttler, Dean, Hentenaar and Weathers, set a school record in 1:58.69.

Hentenaar set a school record in the 100 butterfly in 1:04.92 and Buttler continued his standout performance by setting a mark in the 50 free in 24.61
Blevins recounted the two events which WBHS qualified for state in.

“As soon as Billy hit the water to anchor the 200 free relay, we knew that the time could be fast enough in the end,” the coach said. “As he hit the wall and we saw the time, I can not explain how excited I was.

“I was shaking for about an hour because I was so excited to have state qualifiers. Mitchell was still pumped up from the 200 Free Relay when he got in the water for the 100 back. We knew he was ready. In the first meet he swam a 1:00.95 so reaching state was definitely a possibility.”

Overall, both the WBHS boys and girls finished sixth at the Habersham meet.

“I cannot tell you how proud the coaches and parents are of this group of young men,” Blevins said. “I wish there was a camera on our faces as the kids finished their swims. It took Mitchell about a minute to look at the clock after he finished the back stroke. When he hit the wall, he turned and looked at the coaches table. There he saw Coach Blevins, Coach McCracken, his dad, Mrs. Hentenaar and several of the swimmers jumping around and screaming with excitement.”

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